Knee protector



J. S. SWOPE.

KNEE PROTECTOR.

APPLICATlON man SEPT. 11. 1920.

Patented Jan. 24, 1922.

NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN S. SWOPE, OF PARIS, TEXAS, ASSIGNOR OF FORTY-IFIVE PER CENT TO JOHN A. SCARBOROUGH AND TWENTY PER CENT T0 RICHARD W. WORTHAM, BOTH OF PARIS, TEXAS.

KNEE PROTECTOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 24, 1922.

To all whom it may concern: Be it known that 1, JOHN S. Sworn, a citizen of the United States, residing at Paris, in the county of Lamar, State of Texas, have invented certain new and use ful Improvements in Knee Protectors, of which the following is a description, reference being had to the accompanying drawing and to the figures of reference marked thereon.

The invention relates to new and useful improvements in knee protectors, and more particularly to a knee protector adapted to be used in the picking of cotton or the like.

An object of the invention is to provide a knee protector having an outer body portion with a felt pad, on which the knee is adapted to rest, which pad is so secured to the body portion that it may be readily raised to remove dirt or gravel which may work into the knee protector between the pad and the body portion thereof.

A further object of the invention is to provide a knee protector of the above character, wherein the protecting pad is restricted in width to substantially the knee supporting portion of the protector.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a knee protector having a body portion formed of fabric impregnated with rubber whereby said pad is flexible, durable, and at the same time, water-proof.

These and other objects will in part be obvious and will in part be hereinafter more fully disclosed.

In the drawings which show by way of illustration one embodiment of the invention- Figure 1 is a perspective view of my inn proved knee protector, one of the holdin straps being broken away; 4

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view through the protector, and

Fig. 3 is a sectional view on the line 33 of Fig. 2.

In carrying out the invention, I have provided a knee protector which is preferably shaped so as to fit the bended knee, and suitable means is provided for attaching the knee protector to the leg. Said protector consists of a body portion or casing prefi erably formed of fabric impregnated with rubber so as to be water-proof, flexible and durable. The body portion or casing consists of a longitudinally extending central portion adapted to support the weight of the wearer and side portions which extend up alongside of the leg. Straps are provided for attaching the protector to the leg. Extending longitudinally of the body portion is a pad securedv at its ends only to the body portion, and restricted in width to substantially the knee supporting portion of the protector.

Referring more in detail to th drawings, my improved knee protector consists of a body portion or casing 1 which as above noted, is formed of fabric impregnated with rubber. This makes a very strong and durable body portion which is slightly flexible, which will resist wear, and which is waterproof. The body portion or casing is U-shaped in cross section so that sides are formed extending up along the side of the leg, as the knee rests in th protector. As clearly illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the casing is formed with a longitudinal curvature, which enables the casing to snugly fit along the shins of the wearer. This longitudinal curvature is due to the fact that the casing in one form of the invention is made from a section of an automobile shoe or casing properly slit as at 2 and riveted together as at 3. Said sides are out as indicated at 2 and overlapped and riveted by rivets as indicated at 3, thus forming an annular body portion, the longer part of which extends below the knee, while the shorter portion extends above the knee. This angular body portion is shaped to the bended knee and is secured to the leg of the wearer by means of straps 4, 4 and buckles 5, 5. Extending lengthwise of the knee protector is a felt pad 6 which, is riveted at the upper end by rivets 7, I? to the body portion of the protector, and also riveted at its lower endby rivets 8, 8 to the body portion of the protector. Between these ends, the pad is free so that it may be readily lifted or bent to the dotted line position shown in Fig. 2, and thus any dirt, gravel or the like, working in the knee protector, and between the body portion and pad therefor, may b readily removed.

As clearly shown in Fig. 3, this pad 6 is restricted in width to substantially the width of the supporting portion of the knee protector. In other words, the side portions of the knee protector which extend up alongside of the leg of the wearer are free makes a very much cooler knee protector,

and at the same time, forms a protected I surface for the parts which support the wearer.

It is obvious that minor changes in the shaping of the protector may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as newand desire to secure by Letters-Patent, is

l. A knee protector comprising a rubber and fabric casing of substantially U-shaped cross section throughout its length, said casing having a longitudinal curvature, leg cushioning means arranged Within said casing, and means for securing said casing to the le of the wearer.

2. g knee protector comprising a rubber and fabric casing of substantially U-shaped cross section throughout, said casing having a longitudinal curvature, said casing having its sides adjacent one end slitted, overlapped and fastened to form an angularly disposed portion, leg cushioning means arranged within said casing, and means for securing said casing to the leg of the wearer.

3. A knee protector comprising a rubber and fabric easing of substantially U-shaped cross section throughout its length, said casing having a longitudinal curvature, a felt pad arranged in said casing and extending substantially throughout its entire extent, said pad being connected solely at its ends to said casing, and means for securing said casing to the leg of the wearer.

In testimony whereof, I affix my signature.

- JOHN S. SWOPE. 

